I’ve been traveling to Australia since the pre “Crocodile Dundee” year of 1986. Currently this is my sixth time Down Under. I guess you can say I like it here. In my past journeys, I’ve brought along a “push bike.” (Aussie-speak for bicycle). It was my primary mode of transportation, exercise and entertainment.
In the Aussie summer of 2013/2014 I brought a push bike once again. On a personal note, it was post July 11th, 2011. The date where I came so close to being an ex-Wandering Wondering Jew. The day I nearly got killed while riding my bicycle.
Read all about it:
During that five month stay, I tested the tire pressure to see if I was still willing to share space with speeding sedans, trucks and motorcycles. The answer turned out to be “NO!” When I boxed my bike in Adelaide at the end of the tour, I knew my passion for cycling had been heaved into a dustbin. I was done.
One door closes, another one opens.
Now instead of two tires to get around, I use two legs. (One with a dodgy knee). For the first time Down Under I’m renting a sedan as my primary mode of wandering to arrive at places to hike, sleep, Happy Hour and eat.
I rented the World’s smallest car. Its a luxury item compared to living out of two bike panniers and a small duffle bag. I now have space for a used coffee maker and coffee, extra food, recently purchased T-shirts and shorts and a slab (Aussie speak for a case) of tasty locally brewed IPA. I’m living large.
As far as the knee goes. I’m feeling helpless as my fitness level goes south while my girth goes north. I tried lying low in Hobart, Tasmania in order to rest it. I practiced being a tourist. I visited the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (Two Thumbs Up!), the Maritime Museum (don’t waste a schooner’s worth of beer on this one), the Mawson’s Hut replica from his 1912 Antarctic Expedition (Outstanding) and my favorite the Hobart Brewery.
Quick story about the brewery. I walked in after a BUSY day of touristing. I glanced at the beer list. I blinked. FYIPA! That’s my go to IPA from Boulder, Colorado’s Mountain Sun brewery. Next to it was a decal from Mountain Sun. I just happened to be wearing my Mountain Sun Brewery T shirt. That garment was worth a few shouts, (Aussie speak for a free round). Turns out a brewer from Mountain Sun (Scott) immigrated to Tasmania.
BTW. He’s still creating great beers.
It’s a small world, but you wouldn’t want to paint it.
Back to the knee. It’s still not right. I’ve had a few readers give me referrals for a Doctor. They say one of his treatments would take care of all my problems. There would be no need for a second opinion. They assure me he’d be the last physician I’d ever see.
His name? Doctor Kevorkian.
Why am I so nervous about my appointment?
From Portland, Victoria (birthplace of the winds),
Cheers,
Jeff
Heh heh heh! Perhaps you'd rather investigate finding a doctor to (1) elucidate the problem and (2) treat it by not-too-invasive means. I'm getting injections of hyaluronic acid in my bone-on-bone knees and wearing a brace when I go for long walks and going for physical therapy. When you get back to Sydney, go to the Fortune of War pub in The Rocks ask for a small cider - delicious, cloudy, alcoholic - and raise a glass for me. (They don't know what you mean when you ask for hard cider.)
ReplyDeleteWell Jeff- Maybe I'll be able to keep up with you now if we ever do some hiking together.But, seriously, keep visiting doctors and doing research on the best therapy. Medicare is just around the corner; it's a good program. -Mike
ReplyDeleteHey mate ,how's it going? Old age is a Bugger. Hope u have fun again in oz. Look after yourself.
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